Why neutrals should have a soft spot for flawed, electrifying Liverpool

In a tiresome rehash of last season and many before it, the overriding narrative from Arsenal's 4-0 humiliation in Liverpool will be the shortcomings of Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman's selection policy is questionable - Danny Welbeck chosen as the attack's focal point over Alexandre Lacazette was one blinding oversight - and stasis is now giving way to decay in north London, but it unfortunately diverts attention from a glittering display from a club that has its own oft-aired problems.

Liverpool - hamstrung by a hologram goalkeeper in Loris Karius, the dubious defending of Dejan Lovren, and Philippe Coutinho's phantom injury while Barcelona submits fruitless bids for him - flattened the Gunners. Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey were overwhelmed by the Reds' three-man midfield of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Emre Can. A sleepwalking Mesut Ozil was robbed of possession, and an apathetic Alexis Sanchez skulked around aimlessly.

Arsenal could only cower as it fell victim to a fusillade of shots and Liverpool's trademark pressing all over the park.

(Courtesy: Squawka)

In an inevitable outcome for a world which allows neanderthals to be pundits on social media and Phil Neville to be hired by the BBC, Liverpool has been subject to much overplayed criticism over the summer. Some is deserved. The boardroom's transfer dealings have again been underwhelming, and when plan A - or gegenpressing, as it's known - isn't working for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is regularly mute. There's no simple backup strategy like Manchester United has when it lumps balls to Marouane Fellaini, or when Arsenal - yes, even Arsenal - introduces Olivier Giroud and reshapes the defence.

But what's happened to an appreciation of entertainment? While Jose Mourinho will employ dour drudgery in the top-six encounters and Antonio Conte's Chelsea shuffles into a back-five when under pressure, Klopp drops a hairdryer in the bathwater and rides a sleeping bag down the stairs. It's mad, dangerous, and enthralling; sometimes it's concocted by the unlikeliest sources, and its fitfulness should be revered by football fans.

In the 2016-17 campaign, Can stationed next to Henderson threw a spike strip across Liverpool's hurtling route to goal: an impeding speed bump of sideways passes and limited risk. Now, in the absence of Coutinho, Can is indicative of the adaptability and improving team spirit at Liverpool. The Brazilian isn't missed when Can combines thieving possession with a bulldozing box-to-box game. Elsewhere in the middle of the park, Wijnaldum can expertly turn away from trouble and keep moves alive, and Henderson quickly instigates attacks with his expansive passing - each member of Klopp's midfield is now offering something different, and something compelling.

In Liverpool's vibrant attack, much of the focus is drawn to Sadio Mane and £36.9-million man Mohamed Salah. The former has effortlessly moved over to the left-hand side, adding potency by cutting onto his stronger foot and having a ping, just like he did for the Reds' second strike. Salah did the same for Roma from the right flank in the previous term, and is starting to repeat that trait on Merseyside.

More praise is due for Roberto Firmino, though. He knits the midfield and forward line together - as shown in his assist for Mane - but can score like in the match's opener, when he latched onto a cross with a header into the turf that Alan Shearer would've been proud of. Born in Brazil but toughened up in Germany, Firmino is a player of unique talents who simultaneously resembles a No. 9 and No. 10, and his indefatigable approach ensures Klopp has the perfect player spearheading his plans.

The players all assume a vital slot in Klopp's designs, but are collectively a team of exhilarating lunacy.

The Reds are destined to frustrate their fans again this season. The next league match at home against Burnley could see the visitor's attack, which resembles a line of hard-to-manoeuvre kitchen appliances, bully Lovren and his defensive colleagues. David Wagner, a long-time friend of Klopp, would relish beating his pal at his own game with Huddersfield Town.

This unpredictability is a frustration for fans, and would ultimately be what prevents Liverpool from finishing in first place, but the belief that people only remember the winners isn't necessarily true. Newcastle United threw caution to the wind and captured the country's imagination in the mid-'90s, despite never procuring silverware. The flowing 1974 Netherlands side is lionised, but finished as a runner-up at the World Cup in West Germany.

Frantic pressing and chaotic attacking is scant consolation for the fan base if Liverpool falls short of domestic honours, but in its current form - Coutinho or not - the Reds' boldness is refreshing in a league featuring Tony Pulis' back-six and Mourinho's pragmatism. May Klopp's designs be fondly remembered for generations to come.